Father of Tooting terror suspect appears before parliamentary panel

The father of Tooting terror suspect Babar Ahmad has appeared before a parliamentary panel tasked with reviewing the UK’s extradition arrangements. Ashfaq Ahmad was invited to Parliament on Tuesday by the Home Affairs Committee to tell members of his concerns about his son’s case since the US issued an extradition warrant in August 2004.

American prosecutors alleged Babar was involved in terrorist websites – prompting his arrest. He has never been charged in the UK but has been in prison without trial for more than six years.

Ashfaq, a 76-year-old retired civil servant, told committee members about the “terrible” situation his family faced, having to travel for hours to the low-secure Long Lartin prison near Birmingham just to see him.

He said: “We are so tired and exhausted and over the years Babar too has been totally devastated and mentally upset.”

In a written plea, he added: “I am an elderly man who may not have much time left to live. My family has been devastated by Babar’s arrest and imprisonment.